Council explores Homekey Plus options with Dignity Moves, directs staff to closed-session review of property acquisitions

City housing staff and a representative of the nonprofit developer Dignity Moves briefed the council on potential Homekey Plus projects and candidate sites in Vista. Jonathan Lung, the citys housing and homeless services manager, said Dignity Moves approached city leaders to explore Homekey Plus opportunities while the county has unallocated Homekey Plus funding available. Joanne Price, cofounder and chief real estate officer of Dignity Moves, described the organization's experience building modular and factory-built low-income housing rapidly and at lower per-unit costs in other California jurisdictions, and presented possible approaches for Vista, including redevelopment of 200 Michigan Avenue and other sites held by nonprofit partners.

Price noted Homekey Plus funding priorities (veterans were a topical priority for the current NOFA) and described modular construction approaches and operations models such as resident-steward models to reduce ongoing OPEX. She said Homekey awards typically include five years of operating support and that project-based vouchers or county operations contributions are possible for OPEX beyond the Homekey match. Dignity Moves presented sample per-unit costs from prior projects and noted that the county will issue a new RFP; the city could submit applications if it identifies a candidate site and local match or land contributions.

Staff recapped local site conversations and tours including: 200 Michigan Avenue (currently occupied by Lifeline Community Services), the Gloria McClellan Senior Center parcel (public input raised concerns about using active senior-center parking), a vacant preschool parcel at All Saints Episcopal Church (which declined given timing), and a cluster of parcels behind Solutions for Change at 722 West California Avenue being marketed as redevelopment sites. Lifeline Community Services' chief impact officer, Mabie Castro, told the council Lifeline serves thousands of youth at 200 Michigan and raised concerns about colocating family services with a supportive-housing campus for people exiting homelessness; Lifeline said it would engage further in any potential proposal.

Several public commenters urged caution about siting housing on parkland or senior-center parking; Sid Rothenberg specifically urged the council not to consider the Bridal Terrace senior-center site for housing because the area sees heavy senior use and parking demand.

Council direction: After discussion the council moved and approved a motion to take a closed-session review of potential property acquisitions for Homekey Plus opportunities and to obtain an appraisal for 468 West Los Angeles Drive (a Solutions-for-Change-adjacent parcel) so council can evaluate feasibility and acquisition terms in closed session. Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez and other councilmembers stressed the city should pursue funds on the table and not leave county Homekey Plus funding unused while also protecting key community uses (parks, senior center access) where appropriate.

No development approvals or commitments of specific land were made in open session; instead the council instructed staff to pursue appraisal and negotiations as appropriate and to return with a closed-session update, then to report public recommendations back to the council in open session when appropriate.